Libyan protesters control city close to Tripoli

Al Jazeera is reporting that one of the eastern military air bases near Benghazi has fallen to the protesters and now the battle is only thirty miles from Tripoli in Zawiyah. As the military bases and personnel change sides, the end appears closer for Gaddafi.

Forces loyal to the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi have surrounded the city of Zawiyah, where anti-government protesters are bracing for an attack.

Men opposed to Gaddafi were patrolling the streets of the city 50km from the capital on Sunday, saying they had seized weapons and even tanks which they would use to defend themselves.

Ezeldina, a Zawiyah resident, told Al Jazeera that people in the city had raided some military camps.

“We are expecting an attack at any moment,” he said. “We are forming rotating watch groups, guarding the neighbourhood.”

Protesters said about 2,000 troops loyal to Gaddafi had surrounded the city.

Chris in Paris
An American in Paris, France. BA in History & Political Science from Ohio State. Provided consulting services to US software startups, launching new business overseas that have both IPO’d and sold to well-known global software companies. Currently launching a new cloud-based startup. Full bio here.